PWS Cognitive ko.pdf

PERFORMANCE WORK STATEMENT (PWS)

Cognitive Performance Assessment Services for

5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Fort Campbell, KY 42223

Part I

General Information

1. GENERAL: This is a non-personal services contract to provide Cognitive Performance Assessments (CPAs) to 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) (5SFG (A)).

The Government shall not exercise any supervision or control over the contract service providers performing the services herein. Such contract service providers shall be accountable solely to the Contractor who, in turn is responsible to the Government. The Contractor, in turn, shall be accountable to the Government for Contractor or subcontractor personnel.

1.1 Description of Services/Introduction: The contractor shall deliver a comprehensive suite of services essential for the execution of Cognitive Performance Assessments (CPAs) in adherence to the specifications outlined in this Performance Work Statement (PWS). This includes providing all personnel, equipment, supplies, transportation, tools, materials, supervision, and any other necessary non-personal services required for effective CPA administration. Furthermore, the contractor is expected to conduct CPAs IAW the terms and conditions stipulated in the contract and consistently align with the established standards in this PWS. Notably, the contractor should operate with flexibility in conducting assessments, accommodating various locations, including but not limited to our Human Performance Wellness (HPW) Center, Ranges and Soldier Readiness Program (SRP) sites. Additionally, the contractor should be prepared to facilitate assessments during Range exercises and training. This flexibility in location ensures that the annual requirement of 400 Cognitive Performance Assessments (CPAs) are fulfilled.

This adaptable approach significantly increases the organization’s operational bandwidth, allowing the seamless execution of assessments in varied environments, including the Human Performance Wellness Center, range exercises and training scenarios.

1.1.1. The goal of the CPA program is to assess the cognitive performance of 56 individuals per month over the course of the contract period of performance. The desired outcome is that all tested individuals and the Cognitive Performance Coach (CPC) receive the results of the CPA within five business days. Every CPA will assess individuals on cognitive performance relevant to Special Operations as determined by the CPC. Interfaces to obtain such data must be capable of remote operation via common internet connections. Previous problems with cognitive testing included a lack of valid testing protocols and equipment that failed to produce sufficient scientific validity between testing iterations.

1.2. Background: This requirement is for computer-based testing that has been specifically designed to measure brain processes that are involved in a Soldier’s ability to make rapid, split-second decisions. Testing protocol and equipment must be scientifically based using statistically validated methods for quantifying the cognitive abilities critical to mission success. This testing with compliment the overall assessment process each Special Forces operator will undergo during a Performance Review that occurs, on average, once every 12 months.

1.3. Objectives: The basic service objectives include the following:

1.3.1. Provide scientifically validated cognitive assessment protocols. These protocols will be deemed scientifically validated based upon the test’s accuracy, precision, reproducibility, and internal validity.

1.3.2. Provide scientifically validated cognitive assessment equipment. This equipment will be deemed scientifically validated based upon the equipment’s accuracy, precision, reproducibility, and internal validity.

1.3.3 Provide cognitive assessment results to individuals, as well as the CPC on an individual and collective basis. This collective basis is defined as a unit of action, specifically, a Special Forces Operational Detachment – Alpha (SFOD-A).

1.3.4 Provide consultation to the CPC for test result interpretation, as needed, for the duration of the assessment timeline.

1.4. Scope: Services include provision of a CPA protocol, assessment equipment and technology, as well as individual and collective assessment results. The Contractor shall provide suitable testing equipment and capabilities, IAW specifications listed in Part 5, to assess a baseline of 500 CPAs per year to assess cognitive performance within the organization. The contractor shall provide flexibility for additional tests beyond the baseline, with the understanding that these will be incurred at an additional cost.

1.4.1 Not Applicable

1.5 Period of Performance: The period of performance shall be for one (1) twelve (12) month Base and four (4) twelve (12) month ordering periods.

1.6. Quality Control: Quality Control is the responsibility of the Contractor. The Contractor shall develop, implement, and maintain a Quality Control Program (QCP) to ensure all work described in this contract is performed at or above the standard defined in the Performance Requirements Summary (PRS). The QCP is developed by the contractor to ensure that it performs and delivers high-quality service and products. It shall include methods of documenting and enforcing quality control operations of both prime contractor and or subcontractor work, including inspection and testing.

1.6.1 The Contractor shall submit their QC Plan as part of the Contractor’s proposal within ten (10) days of contract award. After acceptance of the QCP, the Contractor shall receive the contracting officer’s (KO) acceptance in writing or any proposed changes to the QC procedures. The contractor shall submit QCP changes within five (5) days to the KO and Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR) for review and approval prior to implementation. The QC Plan shall address as a minimum:

1.6.2. Inspection System. The contractor shall develop, implement, and maintain a system to inspect their services as well as their subcontractor services and products to ensure compliance with PWS requirements, and applicable laws and regulations. It shall specify tasks or areas to be inspected on a scheduled or unscheduled basis, the manner in which inspections are to be conducted, the titles of the individuals who will perform the inspections, and the percentage of the work that will be inspected on a recurring basis.

1.6.3. Inspection Files. The contractor shall document all inspections conducted, and the necessary corrective and preventive actions taken.

1.6.4. Deficiency Identification, Prevention and Correction. The QCP shall include a method of identifying and preventing deficiencies in the quality of services performed before the level of performance becomes unacceptable as defined in the PRS, without dependence upon Government direction. The contractor shall identify and prevent defects in quality of products and services performed before the level becomes unacceptable and before they are provided to the Government. The QCP at a minimum shall address process control and continuous process improvement; procedures for scheduling, conducting and documentation of inspection; discrepancy identification;

procedures for root cause analysis; corrective and preventive action procedures to include procedures for addressing Government discovered non-conformances; procedures for trend analysis; and procedures for collecting and addressing customer feedback/complaints. The QCP shall document process control and process performance measurement procedures that shall include how the Contractor shall implement preventive corrective actions. The Contractor shall demonstrate that it has designed quality into the delivery of services thereby mitigating the risk(s) associated with delivery of deficient or nonconforming services.

1.6.5. The Contractor shall keep records on-site of all inspections conducted by the Contractor and necessary corrective action taken. These documents shall be available for inspection by the Government during the term of the contract.

1.6.6. The QCP shall contain methods of communications (direct and indirect) with the Government regarding performance of the contract. Communication shall include regular and formal meetings with the Government for review and analyses of key process indicators, analysis of process deficiencies, and problem resolution.

1.6.7. The QCP shall have a customer comment processing system for correction of Contracting Officers Representative (COR) validated comments received verbally. The system should be designed to provide feedback to the Government based on customer contact, investigation of derogatory comments, rebuttal to derogatory comments, or corrective action(s). Government collected and graded customer satisfaction comment cards will be part of the Government’s performance evaluation process. The contractor shall document all customer complaints and report the complaint to the COR within one workday after receipt of complaint. The contractor shall use electronic mail or other written memoranda as notification. Each customer complaint reported to the COR shall have a scheduled completion date subject to COR approval.

1.6.8. Detail how continuous quality improvement will be a sustaining focus throughout the QCP and report monthly via a Process Improvements Tracker (PIT) ongoing initiatives to streamline processes, improve service and detail benefits to the Government.

1.6.9. Upon request from the COR, the Contractor shall provide all reports generated as a result of the Contractor’s quality control efforts. This shall include any summary information used to track quality control, including any charts / graphs.

1.7. Contractor Discrepancy Report (CDR): When the Contractor's performance is unsatisfactory, a CDR will be issued. The Contractor shall reply in writing within five

(5) workdays from the date of receipt of the CDR, giving the reasons for the unsatisfactory performance, corrective action taken, and procedures to preclude recurrence.

1.8. Quality Assurance: The COR will evaluate the Contractor’s performance under this contract in accordance with the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan (QASP). This plan is primarily focused on what the COR must do to ensure that the Contractor has performed in accordance with the performance standards. It defines how the performance standards will be applied, the frequency of surveillance, and the minimum acceptable defect rate(s). When an observation indicates defective performance, the COR will require the Contractor or designated on-site representative to initial the observation to acknowledge the defective performance. The acknowledgement of the observation does not necessarily constitute Contractor concurrence with the observation, only that the Contractor has been made aware of the defective performance.

1.9. Property Management System: The Contractor shall establish a system to manage Government Furnished Equipment (GFE) in its possession to control, use, preserve, protect, repair, and maintain. The Property Management System (PMS) must be adequate to satisfy the requirements of the contract.

1.10. Other Plans:

1.10.1. Safety Plan: The Contractor shall assume all risks and liabilities in the transportation of personnel and equipment to and from the CPA testing location on Fort Campbell. The Contractor shall ensure a safety plan for all contracted personnel associated with the CPA program.

1.10.2. Maintenance Plan: The Contractor shall ensure that testing equipment is suitably maintained so as to not inhibit CPA testing requirements.

1.11. Recognized Federal Holidays: The Contractor shall not be required to perform services on recognized federal holidays. The recognized federal holidays include:

New Year’s Day Labor Day Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday Indigenous Persons Day Washington’s Day Veteran’s Day Memorial Day Thanksgiving Day Independence Day Christmas Day Juneteenth

1.11.1. When a holiday occurs on a Saturday, Federal employees are normally granted the previous Friday as the holiday observance. When a holiday occurs on a Sunday, Federal employees are normally granted the following Monday as the holiday. The contractor shall work on the days the Government is scheduled to work.

1.11.2 When an unforeseen installation closure occurs on a regularly scheduled day of work, the Contractor will have the following options:

1.11.2.1. Reschedule the work so it is performed the following day unless the following day falls on a weekend.

1.11.2.2. Reschedule the work on any day that is mutually satisfactory.

1.11.3. Hours of Operation: The Contractor shall be responsible for providing services, between the hours of 7:30 AM – 4:30 PM CST, Monday through Friday, except federal holidays or when the government facility is closed due to local or national emergencies, administrative closings or similar government directed facility closings. The Contractor shall provide testing for 20 individuals one day per week, every week, for the duration of the period of performance. The Contractor shall at all times maintain an adequate workforce for the uninterrupted performance of all tasks defined within this PWS when the government facility is not closed for the above reasons. When hiring personnel, the Contractor shall keep in mind that the stability and continuity of the workforce are essential to successful performance under this contract. No overtime (OT) or compensatory time (CT) is authorized. Contractor personnel shall not exceed a forty (40) hour work week; flexible work schedule may be considered.

1.11.3.1. Performance of work by Contractor personnel under the terms of this contract shall not interfere with regularly scheduled government operational activities.

1.11.4. Place of Performance: Contractor shall have routine access to Government-controlled facilities. The work to be performed under this contract shall be accomplished at but not limited to the 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) Human Performance and

Wellness Center, Building 6102 Tennessee Avenue Fort Campbell, KY 42223, Range facilities and Soldier Readiness Program sites.

1.12. Security Requirements:

1.12.1. Security Clearance: No security clearance is required for this PWS. At no time with the Contractor or the contracted personnel be exposed to any potential classified documents or information.

1.12.2. Common Access Card Issuance: Not applicable.

1.12.3 National Industrial Security Program (NISP). No applicable.

1.12.3.1 Physical Security Plan. This portion of the Contractor’s security program shall address physical security aspects associated with contract performance and describe how the Contractor shall prevent unauthorized access, vandalism, pilferage, larceny, sabotage, and arson directed toward Contractor-controlled facilities and Government Furnished Property (GFP). The following regulations shall apply when developing the physical security plan: ARs 190-11, 190-13, and 190-51; Department of Defense (DOD) 4500.9- R, and Department of Defense Instruction (DODI) 5100.76 and DODI 5220.22. The Contractor shall develop and implement a physical security plan in accordance with AR 190-13.

1.12.3.2. Key Control. Not applicable.

1.12.3.3. Lock Combinations. The Contractor shall establish and implement methods of ensuring that all lock combinations are not revealed to unauthorized persons. The Contractor shall ensure that lock combinations are changed when personnel having access to the combinations no longer have a need to know such combinations. These procedures shall be included in the Contractor’s security program.

1.12.4. Information Security Plan. The Contractor’s information security program shall include applicable provisions of AR 380-series regulations. Information assurance (IA)/information technology (IT) training: The Contractor employees working in IA / IT functions shall comply with DoD and Army training requirements in DoDD 8570.01, DoDD 8570.01-M and AR 25-2 within 180 days of employment.

1.12.5. Access and General Protection/Security Policy and Procedures: All Contractor personnel performing work under this contract shall comply with applicable installation, facility and area commander installation/facility access, local security policies and security procedures provided by the Security Manager Government representative.

Contractor personnel shall provide all information required for background checks to meet installation access requirements to be accomplished by the installation Provost Marshal Office, Director of Emergency Services or Security Office. Contractor personnel shall comply with all personal identity verification requirements as directed by Department of Defense (DoD), HQ Department of Army (DA) or local policies.

Sponsoring organizations, activities, and persons will be responsible for monitoring contractor access by submitting the required information to the Department of Emergency Services, Fort Campbell, KY, detailing the contracted services to be performed, location of services, and duration of the contract. Contractors requesting access for less than one year may receive an AIE visitor card on a case-by-case basis, or a temporary vehicle pass for ninety (90) days. Contractor cards will be issued for periods of one to three years depending on the terms of their contract. In addition to the changes otherwise authorized by this contract, should the Force Protection Condition (FPCON) at any individual facility or installation change, the Government may require changes in Contractor and subcontractor security matters or processes.

1.13. Anti-Terrorism Program

1.13.1. Anti-Terrorism (AT) Level I Training: Contractor personnel performing work under this contract that require access to Army installations, facilities and controlled access areas shall complete AT Level I awareness training within thirty (30) calendar days after commencing performance under this contract. The Contractor shall submit employee certificates of completion within thirty (30) calendar days after completion of the training. AT Level I awareness training is available at the following website:

https://jkodirect.jten.mil/Atlas2/page/login/Login.jsf

1.13.1.1. iWATCH Training: The Contractor shall brief all personnel performing work under this contract on the local iWATCH program [training standards provided by the requiring activity Anti-Terrorism Office (ATO)]. This local developed training will be used to inform employees of the types of behavior to watch for and instruct employees to report suspicious activity to the COR. This training shall be completed within thirty (30) calendar days of contract award with the results reported to the COR NLT forty-five (45) calendar days after contract award. New employees shall complete the training within ten (10) calendar days of commencing performance of work under this contract, with the results reported to the COR NLT fifteen (15) calendar days.

1.13.1.2. iWatch is simply common awareness. Contract employees can be good sources of information. iWatch training would include organization instructions on “things to look for” and a phone number to call in case the contract employees have information regarding possible terrorist or criminal activities. Providing contractors with awareness materials such as the iWatch brochure or wallet card is a cost-effective alternative to training. The card describes suspicious activity and can be modified to include the COR in reporting procedures. Samples of the iWatch brochure and posters are available on the Antiterrorism Enterprise Portal (ATEP) at https://army.deps.mil/army/sites/PMG/prog/ATEP/iWATCH%20Army/Forms/AllItems.a spx and https://www.army.mil/e2/c/downloads/287489.pdf

1.13.2. Per AR 530-1, Operations Security, the contractor employees must complete Level I OPSEC Awareness training. New employees must be trained within 30 calendar days of their reporting for duty and annually thereafter.

https://jkodirect.jten.mil/Atlas2/page/login/Login.jsf https://army.deps.mil/army/sites/PMG/prog/ATEP/iWATCH%20Army/Forms/AllItems.aspx https://army.deps.mil/army/sites/PMG/prog/ATEP/iWATCH%20Army/Forms/AllItems.aspx https://www.army.mil/e2/c/downloads/287489.pdf

1.14. Safety: The Contractor shall perform work in a safe manner as required by OSHA Safety and Health Requirements. The Contractor shall provide a verbal notification to the KO as soon as possible of each occurrence of damage to Government property or an accident resulting in death, injury, occupational disease, or adverse environmental impact. The Contractor shall also provide a completed copy of required Accident Investigation Reports to the KO within five (5) calendar days of each occurrence.

1.14.1. Environment and OSHA: The Contractor shall comply with all local, state, and Federal environmental and occupational safety laws, rules, and regulations. Any apparent conflict between compliance with such local, state, and Federal laws, rules and regulations, and compliance with the requirements of the contract shall be immediately brought to the attention of the KO and/or the COR final resolution. The Contractor shall notify the KO and COR in writing in addition to any verbal notification of such conflicts.

The Contractor shall be liable for all fines, penalties, and costs which result from violations of, or failure to comply with, all such local state, or Federal laws, rules, and regulations. All unsafe acts or conditions fostered by the Contractor or Contractor personnel may be grounds for the KO or COR, to halt all Contractor performance with a commensurate deduction of monies due the Contractor until such unsafe conditions are corrected. The Contractor shall take due caution not to endanger personnel during performance of this contract. Upon discovery of any hazard such as, but not limited to, fire, or large fuel spill, the Contractor shall immediately notify the KO or COR.

1.15. Special Qualifications.

1.15.1 Organizational Conflict of Interest: The Contractor shall not employ any person or perform a contract in a situation where the existence of conflicting roles may bias the contractor's judgement or prevent unfair competitive advantage in accordance with Organizational Conflict of Interest Rules in FAR 9.5.

1.15.1.1. Not applicable.

1.15.2. General:

1.15.2.1. The Contractor shall be responsible for ensuring all personnel performing work under this contract possess and maintain current certifications as indicated in this PWS during the execution of this contract.

1.15.2.2. Contractor personnel performing work under this contract shall be able to read, write, speak, and understand the English language to effectively carry out all contract requirements. They shall have a command of both the written and spoken English language to properly clearly, and effectively communicate in person or via electronic devices (telephone or e-mail) with co-workers, customers, and the general public.

1.15.2.3. Contractor personnel performing work under this contract shall be U.S. citizens unless the provisions of Army Regulation 25-2, Information Assurance have been fully completed and approval has been granted by the Government for the non-U.S. citizen to perform the required support.

1.15.3. Key Personnel: Key personnel shall not be added to or removed from the contract without express acknowledgement of the COR. Any changes to the working status of these key personnel shall be transmitted (in writing) to the KO/COR within ten (10) workdays of the proposed change. If, for any reason, any of the key personnel becomes, or is expected to become, unavailable for work under this contract for a continuous period exceeding thirty (30) workdays the contractor shall promptly replace personnel with personnel who possess qualifications equal to or better than that of the original employee. The Contractor shall ensure all key personnel terminated or released from employment under this contract are replaced within ten (10) workdays of the termination.

1.15.3.1. The follow are considered key personnel by the Government: The Contractor shall provide a Program Manager (PM) who shall be responsible for the performance of the work under this contract. The name of this person, and an Alternate PM (APM), who shall act for the Contractor when the PM is absent, shall be designated in writing to the KO at the post award conference. The PM or APM shall have full authority to act for the Contractor on all contract matters relating to daily operation of this contract. The PM or APM shall be available telephonically between the hours of 7:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday, except federal holidays or when the government facility is closed for administrative reasons.

1.15.3.2. Qualifications for all Key Personnel:

1.15.3.2.1. Program Manager (PM): The PM shall meet or exceed the following minimum qualifications: Hold a PhD in neuropsychology or closely related field from a United States-based and accredited university and have ten (10) or more year’s relevant experience in the field of neuroscience or medical management. A PhD is deemed as being the minimal required qualification to provide scientifically validated and reliable assessment protocols and data analysis sufficient to assess cognitive function as the microsecond level. The PM shall also have experience in the neurocognitive testing of elite athletes, defined as either professional sports teams or National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 organizations. The APM shall meet or exceed the same qualifications as the PM.

1.15.3.2.2. Cognitive Assessment Specialists (CAS): The CAS will hold a PhD in neuropsychology or closely related field, have completed a post-doctoral training at an accredited university, authored over fifty (50) peer-reviewed publications, and have ten

(10) or more years relevant experience in the field of neuroscience. This experience must include the neurocognitive testing of elite athletes, defined as either professional sports teams or National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 organizations.

This is required to allow a method of providing relevant data interpretation and as consultants to our HPW staff sport psychologist.

1.15.5. Identification of Contractor Personnel: All Contractor personnel attending meetings, answering government telephones, and working in other situations where their contractor status is not obvious to third parties, are required to identify themselves as such to avoid creating an impression in the minds of members of the public that they are government officials.

1.15.6. Contractor Personnel Appearance and Performance: It is essential that all Contractor personnel meet the highest standards of professionalism and personal integrity. The Contractor shall ensure their personnel do not perform work under the influence of alcohol, illegal prescribed drugs, or any other incapacitating agents.

Contractor personnel shall be neatly groomed and dressed in business casual attire to always present a professional appearance.

1.15.6.2 Conduct of Personnel: The Contracting Officer may require the Contractor to remove from the job site any employee working under this contract for reasons of misconduct, security, or found to be under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or other incapacitating agents. Contractor employees shall be subject to dismissal from the premises upon determination by the Contracting Officer that such action is necessary in the interest of the Government. In accordance with (IAW) Joint Ethics Regulations, DOD 5500.7-R, and 18 U.S.C. 1382 (1972), The removal from the job site or dismissal from the premises shall not relieve the Contractor of the requirement of providing sufficient personnel to perform the services as required by this contract.

1.16. Contractor Travel: Contractor shall be required to travel to Fort Campbell, KY during the performance of this contract to assist, as requested by the CPC, in the execution of the CPA. The Contractor is not required to travel to any other locations in support of this contract.

1.16.1. Travel Templates. The Contractor shall produce a local travel log template. The template shall be submitted to the COR within ten (10) days after contract award for approval. The long-distance travel request template shall include, at a minimum: Name, duty position, justification for travel, mode of travel, distance of travel, estimated time of travel, and POC of travel at the support site.

1.16.1.1. The Local Travel Log template shall include, at a minimum: Name, duty position, reason for travel, key personnel assisted (name, position, and phone number), significant activities accomplished during visit, follow-up requirements, recommendations/comments, and signature block.

1.16.1.2. Not applicable.

1.17. Other Direct Costs (ODC): The Contractor shall submit any requests for ODCs (other than travel) to the COR via written correspondence at least fourteen (14) workdays prior to need date. Contractor shall ensure all ODCs are pre-approved by the COR prior to expenditure of funds. Invoice submitted through Invoicing, Receipt, Acceptance, and

Property Transfer (iRAPT) must clearly identify the specifics of the costs (e.g., who, what, where, when).

1.18. Data Rights: The government has unlimited rights to all documents/material produced under this contract to the extent permitted by the data rights clauses. The parties mutually acknowledge their understanding that this is the government’s intent.

All documents and materials, to include the source codes of any software, developed using human data derived from the produced under this task order shall be government owned and are the property of the government with all rights and privileges of ownership/copyright belonging exclusively to the government. These documents and materials may not be used or sold by the contractor without written permission from the contracting officer. All materials supplied to the government shall be the sole property of the government and may not be used for any other purpose. This right does not abrogate any other government rights.

1.19. Post Award Conference/Periodic Progress Meetings: The Contractor agrees to attend any post award conference convened by the contracting activity or contract administration office in accordance with Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) Subpart

42.5. The post award conference will also be utilized to ensure contractor understands all HSPD-12 requirements. IAW AR 70-13 para 4.b. (1). The contracting office will hold periodic status or progress meetings with the contracting officer, the COR, the contractor, and other personnel as necessary (at least quarterly) to discuss problems, progress of the contract, and contractor performance. This meeting will be held at a mutually agreed location, or telephonically. The CORs must ensure that they receive copies of written minutes and other correspondence related to these meetings, including follow-up actions.

These meetings shall be at no additional cost to the Government.

1.20. Contracting Officer Representative (COR): The Contracting Officer will designate, in writing, a COR. The COR will have authority to take certain actions specifically provided and within the limitations prescribed in the designation. A copy of the designation will be furnished to the Contractor. In no event will the COR, by virtue only of his/her designation as such, empowered to execute or agree to any contract modification thereof. The Contracting Officer will retain the ultimate responsibility for the administration of the contract. Any discrepancy resulting from coordination with or advisement from the COR shall be addressed, in writing, to the Contracting Officer. The COR monitors all technical aspects of the contract and assists in contract administration.

The COR is authorized to perform the following functions: Assures that the Contractor performs the technical requirements of the contract; performs inspections necessary in connection with contract performance; maintains written and oral communications with the Contractor concerning technical aspects of the contract; issues written interpretations of technical requirements, including government drawings, designs, specifications;

monitors Contractor's performance and notifies both the KO and Contractor of any deficiencies; coordinates availability of government furnished property, and provides site entry of Contractor personnel.

1.20.1. The Contracting Officer will designate, in writing, an Alternate Contracting Officer’s Representative. The Alternate COR will have authority to take certain actions specifically provided and within the limitations prescribed in the designation. A copy of the designation will be furnished to the Contractor. In no event will the Alternate COR, by virtue only of his/her designation as such, empowered to execute or agree to any contract modification thereof. The Contracting Officer will retain the ultimate responsibility for the administration of the contract. The Alternate COR’s authority shall only be in effect during the absence of the COR.

PART 2

DEFINITIONS & ACRONYMS

2. DEFINITIONS AND ACRONYMS:

2.1. DEFINITIONS:

2.1.1. CONTRACTOR. A supplier or vendor awarded a contract to provide specific supplies or service to the Government. The term used in this contract refers to the prime.

2.1.2. CONTRACTING OFFICER (KO). A person with authority to enter into, administer, and/or terminate contracts, and to make related determinations and findings on behalf of the Government. Note: The only individual who can legally bind the Government.

2.1.3. CONTRACTING OFFICER'S REPRESENTATIVE (COR). An employee of the U.S. Government appointed by the contracting officer to administer the contract. Such appointment shall be in writing and shall state the scope of authority and limitations.

This individual has authority to provide technical direction to the Contractor, as long as that direction is within the scope of the contract, does not constitute a change, and has no funding implications. This individual does NOT have authority to change the terms and conditions of the contract.

2.1.4. CONTRACTOR PERSONNEL. Contractor and subcontractor employees performing working under this contract.

2.1.5. DEFECTIVE SERVICE. A service output that does not meet the standard of performance associated with the Performance Work Statement (PWS).

2.1.6. DELIVERABLE. Anything that can be physically delivered, but may include non-physical things, such as meeting minutes or reports.

2.1.7. FACILITY CLEARANCE. A facility clearance (FCL) is an administrative determination that, from a national security standpoint, a facility is eligible for access to classified information at the same or lower classification category as the clearance being granted. The FCL may be granted at the Confidential, Secret, or Top-Secret level. The FCL includes the execution of a Department of Defense Security Agreement (DD Form 441). Under the terms of the agreement, the Government agrees to issue the FCL and inform the Contractor as to the security classification of information to which the Contractor will have access. The Contractor, in turn, agrees to abide by the security requirements set forth in the National Industrial Security Program Operating Manual, commonly referred to as the NISPOM.

2.1.8. GOVERNMENT-FURNISHED PROPERTY (GFP) OR GOVERNMENT

PROPERTY (GP). Property in the possession of or directly acquired by the Government and subsequently made available to the Contractor.

2.1.9. KEY PERSONNEL. Contractor employees who are critical for achieving PWS objectives. Key personnel shall meet position qualification and experience requirements indicated in the PWS. When key personnel qualifications are used as an evaluation factor in “Best Value” procurement, the Contracting Officer is the only one authorized to concur with key personnel replacement after award of the contract. When proposed key personnel resumes are used as an evaluation factor in best value procurement, a letter of commitment may be required from the individual whose resume is provided.

2.1.10. LOCAL TRAVEL: Any travel that is required to perform services IAW the PWS that is within a 50-mile radius of the place of performance.

2.1.11. Reserved.

2.1.12. PERFORMANCE PREQUIREMENT SUMMARY (PRS). A listing of the service outputs under the contract that are to be evaluated by the COR on a regular basis, the surveillance methods to be used for these outputs, and the performance requirement of the listed outputs.

2.1.13. PHYSICAL SECURITY. Actions that prevent the loss or damage of government property.

2.1.14. PROPERTY ADMINISTRATOR (PA). Not applicable.

2.1.15. PROPERTY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM. Not applicable.

2.1.16. QUALITY ASSURANCE. A planned and systematic pattern of all actions necessary to provide confidence that adequate technical requirements are established;

products and services conform to established technical requirements; and satisfactory performance is achieved. For the purposes of this document, quality assurance refers to actions by the Government.

2.1.17. QUALITY ASSURANCE SURVEILLAND PLAN (QASP). The Government’s organized written document specifying the surveillance methodology to be used for surveillance of Contractor performance.

2.1.18. QUALITY CONTROL. All necessary measures taken by the Contractor to assure that the quality of an end product or service shall meet contract requirements.

2.1.19. SUBCONTRACTOR. Not applicable.

2.1.20. WORKDAY. The length of time during a day in which the Contractor provides services, in accordance with the contract. Also referred to as Business Day.

2.1.21. WORK WEEK. Monday through Friday, unless otherwise specified.

2.2. ACRONYMS:

5SFG (A) 5th Special Forces Group (Airborne) AFARS Army Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement AR Army Regulation CCE Contracting Center of Excellence CFR Code of Federal Regulations CMDF Controlled Material Destruction Facility CONUS Continental United States (excludes Alaska and Hawaii) COR Contracting Officer Representative COTS Commercial-Off-the-Shelf CPA Cognitive Performance Assessment CPC Cognitive Performance Coach DA Department of the Army DD250 Department of Defense Form 250 (Receiving Report) DD254 Department of Defense Form 254 DD1466 Building Pass DFARS Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement DMDC Defense Manpower Data Center DOD Department of Defense FAR Federal Acquisition Regulation HIPAA Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 KO Contracting Officer OCI Organizational Conflict of Interest OCONUS Outside Continental United States (includes Alaska and Hawaii) ODC Other Direct Costs PIPO Phase-In/Phase- Out POC Point of Contact PRS Performance Requirements Summary PWS Performance Work Statement QA Quality Assurance QAP Quality Assurance Program QASP Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan QC Quality Control QCP Quality Control Plan SFOD-A Special Forces Operational Detachment-Alpha TE Technical Exhibit

PART 3

GOVERNMENT FURNISHED PROPERTY, EQUIPMENT, AND SERVICES

3. GOVERNMENT FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES:

3.1. Services: The Government will provide access to the physical location of testing (Building 6102). The Government will provide suitable physical security for any testing devices left on-site at the conclusion of any CPA. No other additional services will be rendered.

3.2. Facilities: The Government will provide the Contractor PM with office space within Building 6102 on CPA testing days. The APM shall occupy the same PM office space while performing duties during the absences of the PM.

3.3. Utilities: The Government will provide power requirements for the operation of any necessary testing equipment. The Contractor shall instruct all employees in utilities conservation practices. The Contractor shall be responsible for operating under conditions that preclude the waste of utilities, which include turning off the water faucets or valves after using the required amount to accomplish cleaning vehicles and equipment.

3.4. Equipment: Not applicable.

3.5. Materials: Not applicable.

PART 4

CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS AND SERVICES

4. CONTRACTOR FURNISHED ITEMS AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

4.1. General: The Contractor shall furnish all supplies, equipment, facilities and services required to perform work under this contract that are not listed under Part 3 of this PWS.

4.2. Secret Facility Clearance: Not applicable.

4.3. Materials: Not applicable.

4.4. Equipment: The Contractor shall provide all necessary to meet the requirements under this PWS.

PART 5

SPECIFIC TASKS

(This section is the heart of the PWS. All the services to be performed under the contract should be described in sufficient detail here. This includes all general tasks required by the Government.)

5. Specific Tasks:

5.1. Basic Services. The Contractor shall provide services for CPA.

5.1.1. CPAs will have the ability to test, at a minimum, the cognitive performance of an individual in multiple areas within a three (3) hour timeframe. Testable areas include perception speed, search efficiency, tracking capacity, trajectory estimation, rhythm control, timing control, visual learning, instinctive learning, decision complexity, distraction control, impulse control, stopping control, and improvisation.

5.1.1.1. Results from such testing will be delivered in physical form and in a manner that is understandable to the average adult with a high-school education and applicable to that individual’s occupation.

5.1.1.2. All results will be held within a secure database that maintains no personally identifiable information and does not identify any association with 5th Special Forces Group.

5.1.1.3. The test result database will allow the ability to query common demographic information to include, at a minimum, age, gender, and military occupation.

5.1.1.4. The results of testing will allow for a statistically sound comparison against a comparable sample of athletes participating on either National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) or professional sports teams. These comparisons are necessary as the microsecond cognitive processing and functional requirements within professional sports are the most comparable to the critical battlefield decisions that special operations Soldiers must make, which determine success or failure. Furthermore, there is no comparable data within the active-duty military population and this requirement mirrors the need for professional experience within the 5SFG(A) Human Performance and Wellness staff.

5.1.1.5. The Contractor shall support testing result interpretation and comparison to the CPC telephonically on an as-needed basis for the duration of this contract with a CPC inquiry report.

5.2. The Contractor shall provide the following services: Provide scientifically validated cognitive assessment protocols, as defined in Part 5.2.1. Provide scientifically validated cognitive assessment equipment. Provide cognitive assessment results to individuals, as well as the CPC on an individual and collective basis. This collective basis is defined as a unit of action, specifically, a twelve (12) man Special Forces Operational Detachment –

Alpha (SFOD-A). Provide consultation to the CPC for test result interpretation, as needed, for the duration of the assessment timeline.

5.2.1. The CPA will permit individual testing in the following areas:

5.2.1.1. Perception speed: Processing speed at the point of focus.

5.2.1.2. Search efficiency: Ability to search a chaotic visual scene.

5.2.1.3. Tracking capacity: Capacity to track multiple visual targets.

5.2.1.4. Trajectory estimation: Judgement in assessment a movement trajectory.

5.2.1.5. Rhythm control: Synchronization of motor responses.

5.2.1.6. Timing control: Timing unpredictable movement velocities.

5.2.1.7. Visual learning: Learning and recognizing visual-spatial patterns.

5.2.1.8. Instinctive learning: Diagnosing subtle or less obvious personal tendencies.

5.2.1.9. Decision complexity: Executing complicated decision-making rules.

5.2.1.10. Distraction control: Ability to form a response execution in the face of distraction.

5.2.1.11. Impulse control: The inhibition of impulsive reactions and decisions.

5.2.1.12. Stopping control: Movement stopping speed.

5.2.1.13. Improvisation: Efficiency in improving actions in response to sudden changes.

5.2.2. All task measurements will be precise enough to measure in one-tenth of one-millisecond intervals.

5.2.3. The Contractor shall ensure all testing equipment remains calibrated to ensure consistent testing results between iterations.

5.2.4. The Contractor shall develop the capability to tailor assessments to unique occupational requirements and specific cognitive demands of the operational environment.

5.2.5. The Contractor shall coordinate with the CPC during each testing iteration and forward all test results within a five (5) business day period. The Contractor shall also be available for telephonic consultation and interpretation of reported data on an as-needed basis.

5.3. Contractor Manpower Reporting: The contractor will report ALL contractor labor hours (including subcontractor labor hours) required for performance of services provided under this contract for the United States Army Special Operations Command via a secure data collection site. The contractor is required to completely fill in all required data fields using the following web address: http://www.sam.gov, and then click on “Department of the Army CMRA” or the icon of the DoD organization that is receiving or benefitting from the contracted services. The UIC Code is: TBD.

Reporting inputs will be for the labor executed during the period of performance during each Government FY, which runs from October 1 through September 30. While inputs may be reported any time during the FY, all data shall be reported no later than October of each calendar year, beginning with 2022. Contractors may direct questions to the help desk by clicking on “Send an email” which is located under the Help Resources ribbon on the right side of the login page of the applicable Service/Component’s CMR website at http://www.sam.gov. The required data fields include:

(1) Contracting Office, Contracting Officer, Contracting Officer's Technical Representative;

(2) Contract number, including task and delivery order number;

(3) Beginning and ending dates covered by reporting period;

(4) Contractor name, address, phone number, e-mail address, identity of contractor employee entering data;

(5) Estimated direct labor hours (including sub-contractors);

(6) Estimated direct labor dollars paid this reporting period (including sub-contractors);

(7) Total payments (including sub-contractors);

(8) Predominant Product Service Code (PSC)/Federal Service Code (FSC) reflecting services provided by contractor (and separate predominant PSC/FSC for each sub-contractor if different);

(9) Estimated data collection cost;

(10) Organizational title associated with the Unit Identification Code (UIC) for the

Army Requiring Activity (the Army Requiring Activity is responsible for providing the contractor with its UIC for the purposes of reporting this information);

(11) Locations where contractor and sub-contractors perform the work (specified by zip code in the United States and nearest city, country, when in an overseas location, using standardized nomenclature provided on website);

(12) Presence of deployment or contingency contract language; and

(13) Number of contractor, and sub-contractor employees deployed in theater this reporting period (by country).

As part of its submission, the contractor will also provide the estimated total cost (if any) incurred to comply with this reporting requirement.

5.3.2 NCIC and terrorist threat data base screening required. All contractor employees, including subcontractor employees, who are not in possession of a current Common Access Card (CAC) will be vetted by the local security office to determine fitness and eligibility for access IAW DTM 09-012, paragraph 2.b(4) to include but not limited to an NCIC III and Terrorist Database screening. The Vendor will ensure that the government has sufficient biographical information to conduct said screening including, but not limited to the person's name, date of birth, and social security number.

5.3.3 Pre-screen applicants using E-Verify Program. The Vendor must pre-screen applicants using the E-verify Program (http://www.dhs.gov/E-Verify) website to meet the established employment eligibility requirements. The vendor must ensure that the applicant has two valid forms of government issued identification.

PART 6

APPLICABLE PUBLICATIONS

6. APPLICABLE PUBLICATIONS (CURRENT EDITIONS):

6.1. The Contractor shall abide by all applicable regulations, publications, manuals, and local policies and procedures.

AR 25-2, Information Assurance AR 530-1, Operations Security (OPSEC) AR 190-13, The Army Physical Security Program Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) Joint Travel Regulation (JTR) AR 735-5, Policies and Procedures for Property Accountability DODD 8570.01, Information Assurance Training Certification and Workforce Management DOD 8570.01-M, Information Assurance Workforce Improvement Program DODI 3020.41, Contractor Personnel Authorized to Accompany the U.S. Armed Forces DODI 2000.16 DoD Antiterrorism (AT) Program Homeland Security Presidential Directive- 12 (HSPD-12)

PART 7

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT LISTING

7. Technical Exhibit List:

7.1. Technical Exhibits:

Technical Exhibit 1 Performance Requirements Summary Technical Exhibit 2 Deliverables Schedule Technical Exhibit 3 Site Locations: Not applicable.

Technical Exhibit 4 Government Furnished Property: Not applicable.

Technical Exhibit 5 Wage Determinations: Not applicable.

Technical Exhibit 6 Estimated Workload Data: Not applicable.

TECHNICAL EXHIBIT 1

Performance Requirements Summary The contractor service requirements are summarized into performance objectives that relate directly to mission essential items.